Beginning with the End in Mind.

Friday was our White Coat Ceremony for the entering class of Pharmacy school. 
The white coat symbolizes a commitment to professionalism and dedication to patient care. During the ceremony, we each went on stage to be presented with our white coat and then we all took a Pledge of Professionalism to begin our time has professional students working towards our Pharm.D.

It's a pretty meaningful ceremony, and I would be lying if I didn't say I've dreamed of the day I'd get that white coat for quite a while now. It's silly how an object can make things seem so real for you, but that white coat made the fact that I'll be in pharmacy classes this week seem MUCH more real.

During orientation the day before our WCC, one of the professors talked about what professionalism means. How would we define professionalism, and what does it mean in the pharmacy profession? You don't realize how hard it is to define professionalism without the word profession until you're asked that question. We spent time going through the Pledge of Professionalism, the Oath of the Pharmacist, and the Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, taking the time to recognize what they all meant to us and what the ultimate outcome of pharmacy school will be-- focusing on our duty and role as pharmacists.

"Beginning with the end in mind," is quote that she shared with us. That's the way we should begin pharmacy school, keeping a large focus on why we're here, why we're entering the profession of pharmacy, and what professionalism in our field means. That quote she shared with us is ultimately what the White Coat ceremony symbolizes.

 

We ended the ceremony with a reception, where we each signed the Pledge we recited.

I was so thankful to have my family there to celebrate the mark of the beginning of my Pharmacy career, I can't tell you how supportive they've been of me up to this point. And I'm sure all of the pep talks they've given me aren't over yet. ;) 

Now, the rest of my weekend is dedicated to studying. Class hasn't even started yet and I'm already behind... pharmacy school has arrived!!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! 

Orientation

My first day of the beginning of pharmacy school was yesterday-- Orientation.

My gosh, can words even describe how weird it is to sit in a room alongside 175 other people who share the same passion and goal as me? I have worked so hard for so long to get to this point. And sitting in the room being prepped for these next four years of coursework, the expectations of us as student pharmacists, and the importance of professionalism in our profession really hit me-- I am going to be a pharmacist. It's no longer an "I hope to be..." it's an "I will be...".

The Dean shared a quote with us that really stuck with me, "People won't want to know what you know, until you show that you care." As we looked over the Pledge of Professionalism, the Oath of the Pharmacist, and Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, that quote continued to resonate. The profession of pharmacy revolves around patient care, and as much schooling as we have ahead of us, and as much knowledge as we will all have after the next four years-- it will all mean nothing if we don't have the care and compassion behind what we do.

I know that these next four years won't be easy, and I know I'll probably end up complaining about all of the studying and assignments before it's all done with.. but I hope I never forget this feeling right now. This excitement that I've been feeling about getting started. I never want to take pharmacy school for granted, because it has taken so much work to get to this point, and there are so many out there that don't even make it here.

May 2017-- I can't wait to see how much knowledge I hold upon graduation. Going into our White Coat Ceremony today we're all excited, nervous, and anxious to get started. A class full of strangers that I can't wait to get to know in these upcoming weeks.

And I swear all of these sappy pharmacy posts are almost over... :)

Leaving.

Last week I sat down to write a post, and in the midst of it I got so emotional I had to stop. I tend to get overly attached to places and people, and as I've said before.. goodbyes aren't easy for me.

It was a blogpost about my last day of working at the Pharmacy that I've worked at for the past two years. The place where I spent countless hours falling in love with the profession of Pharmacy. The place that not only confirmed my love for pharmacy, but taught me how rewarding the profession can be.

There's something to be said for a small town, family-owned pharmacy. From the employees, down to the patients, it's a different atmosphere than your big retail chains. To say I was blessed with the opportunity to work there would be an understatement. I'll miss the abundance of laughs we shared at work, all of our quirky patients who made work so much more enjoyable, and just the people in general. I'll miss the people.

I can't even put into words how much all of the people at work have meant to me. The friendships I built with each of my coworkers, and the time we spent together is something I'm so grateful for. I have learned a tremendous amount about patient care, and how to handle situations that I never knew I could potentially encounter just from watching the pharmacists I work with. I feel more ready than ever to take on Pharmacy school and eventually join them in the profession.

Now bring it Pharm school!! ;)

My Pharmacy Decision

I never actually shared my final decision for Pharmacy school.
In fact, I don't think I even shared that I had a second interview at another college.
The last I mentioned of pharmacy admissions was my acceptance to PC in South Carolina.

Back in February I was granted an interview at Mercer's Pharmacy School in Atlanta. I felt much more prepared for that interview, I did my research and practiced with my coworkers so I would be ready for any pharmacy question they threw my way.

The interview went SO well. I loved the students I interviewed with, and the professor I interviewed with. I loved their curriculum, and I left praying for that acceptance letter. Keeping in the back of my mind that regardless, I still had a seat in a pharmacy school for the fall.. and whatever happens will happen.

In the meantime, as I waited to hear back from Mercer I finally got word from UGA's pharmacy school on that Tuesday. If you remember, I interviewed there last year but was put on the alternate list. I met over the summer with the admissions director about how to improve my application, and was crossing my fingers for an interview there again this year. Athens is my home now, and I really didn't want to leave. However, I got the email that I was not granted an interview there this year.. I was heartbroken. Rejection is hard. Reeeeally hard. But obviously, God has a bigger plan for me and it's not in Athens.

If there's one thing I've learned it's that a door may shut, but God always opens a window that has an even better view out there.

Wednesday morning as I was sitting in class I checked my phone and saw a missed call and voicemail from Mercer. I immediately called back, but had to leave a message. All day I was on edge waiting for my phone to ring. I thought, surely they don't call you unless you're accepted right? I mean... they don't call you and say, "sorry... you didn't get in."

FINALLY, at 6:45 that evening they called me back with my acceptance!
I'm so excited that I'll officially be attending Mercer University's Pharmacy School this fall, as the incoming Pharmacy Class of 2017. Holy moly... 2017. INSANE.

I've still got so many things to work out, finding a roommate, figuring out Atlanta... and of course all of the financial aspects (which really suck). I'm so excited to see what God has in store for me in Atlanta, and the fact that I'll be starting pharmacy school this fall seriously makes me teary-eyed. Y'all, I am beyond blessed. God is SO good.

Acceptance.

Well, the last thing I left you with was that I thought I blew my interview...
but it turns out, they still liked me apparently.
I found out the day after my interview that I have been ACCEPTED to Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy! 
Just typing it takes my breath away a little bit.
I got the phone call during my physics class, and I couldn't answer. So I quickly checked my email while the professor was lecturing and saw the acceptance email. I couldn't stop shaking, and I was frantically trying to text everyone to let them know.

I cried the whole way home, and then after I got home.
Happy tears, the happiest tears I've ever cried.

All of the hard work I've put in over the past four years has finally paid off.
The uncertainty of whether or not I'll ever be good enough for a pharmacy school? Gone.
I WILL be in pharmacy school this fall, and it is such an incredible feeling.

I don't even know how to put it all into words, it's just so surreal.
I've waited for this moment for so so long.

and every step of this journey has been 100% worth it.

I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.
For listening to me vent about my struggles, and for giving me the much needed encouragement along the way.

I've still got two other schools I'm waiting to hear from, but regardless of what happens with those.. I've got a seat in a Pharmacy school. And I feel so incredibly blessed. God is so good.

Gone Blank.

Have you ever just completely blanked out?
When you see someone you know... and have known forever, and all of a sudden you can't remember their name?
Or on a test... you KNOW you know the question, but for the life of you, you can't remember what the answer is?

Well yesterday, I had an interview with a Pharmacy school and as they asked me questions I did pretty well... up until the very last one.

It was a question that involved the word integrity... and I totally blanked.
I KNOW I know what integrity means, but at that moment in time I couldn't for the life of me think of the definition and how to use the word. So I babbled.

And you know when you start babbling, and then start realizing in your head you're making no sense? But at that point it's too late to start over, because let's face it: You're committed. So you just quickly try to figure out a way to end your little nonsense spiel before it gets too out of control.

Yeahhhh.. that's how my interview ended yesterday.

I'm so embarrassed.

In interview settings I get so nervous, I don't like the unexpected. I know I can answer most things they throw my way, but it's the whole concept of not being prepared for what they throw at me that terrifies me. You have to be so quick on your feet. Those cliche interview questions always throw me, like "what is your biggest regret and why?" You have to run through your life in a matter of seconds and find your example. It's brutal. And SO draining. You have to avoid saying "ummmm," while you're trying to think your way through your answer. I feel like my mind got a serious workout in that little room for 30 minutes.

I know mastering interviews is an art. And I look at it as, this interview just makes me more prepared for those I may have in the future. But I'll tell you one thing, I will NEVER forget what integrity means again. EVER. ;)

Do you have any interview disaster stories?
Or are you an interview pro who has some great tips?
Share with me!

Worries.

I stress.
I worry.
I have emotional breakdowns.
and then I carry on with my life until I stress, worry, and break down again.

It's the way things go, particularly now that school is back in session.

This weekend I spent my entire Saturday devoted to Pharmacy school preparations.
It was Visitor's Day at UGA Pharmacy, followed by a PCAT review session, and then I worked on getting my application completed once I got home. It was an overwhelming day to say the least.

As I was working on submitting my coursework on my PharmCAS application, it hit me how hard I've worked these past three years. I've had a lot of late nights of studying, numerous hours spent in tutoring sessions, and countless phone calls to Mama for reassurance during those tearful breakdowns. I've felt overwhelmed, and discouraged.

But as I was going back through all of those hours of courses I've put in, I realized how hard I've worked in those classes has ultimately led me THIS much closer to what I want to become. All of the tears, and all of the late nights have taught me SO so much about what I'm capable of.  There's a reason I've been given this passion for Pharmacy. As I was listening to the current pharmacy students talk about their experiences in Pharmacy school at the Open House, it gave me chills realizing that one day I'll have those experiences too. That rewarding feeling the first time you're able to actually help a patient who has a question about their medication... I want it so badly.

I've spent the past three years gaining the knowledge necessary for beginning Pharmacy school, and in the next few weeks I'll be taking that PCAT again, as well as submitting my applications. There's nothing else I can do to prepare, and ultimately I have to have the patience to trust in God. Whether Pharmacy school happen next year for me, or in a few more years time... I'm trying to remember to give my worries up to Him. Everything always works out, even if it's not the plans we have for ourselves.

So this week I'm focusing on giving my insecurities, and worries up to the Lord. Learning to trust His will, and not my own.

Happy Monday sweet friends,

WILW

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm linking up with Jamie to share What I'm loving :)

Today I'm loving...

[one]- That last night Jasmine and I went to Fuzzy's tacos downtown for Taco Tuesday. Nothing like an ice cold draft to finish off the day!

[two]- When we were walking downtown we passed Georgia Theatre, and saw some concert posters. This one caught my eye, Perpetual Groove? Definitely sounds like a show I need to see. 

One hour later, we got our tickets. I live for concerts.

[three]- Glee last night.

I loved the Whitney songs!!! 

Definitely one of my favorites this season. 

[four]- My job.

I work in a Pharmacy, for those of you who don't know, and it's a retail space located inside of a hospital. So it provides endless entertainment. Not only are my co-workers amazing, but I love all of our regular patients. Every day is something exciting :) I swear they need to make a TV show like the office, but called "The Pharmacy." 

What are you loving?

Go link up and share it with us!

Be Proud.

I know I've shared with you a lot about my struggles with school over the past year... or two.

I went through times where I was so easily discouraged, and felt like I would never get where I wanted to go. And not to say those days aren't over... but I've had an overwhelming feeling of peace the past few weeks.

I stressed and stressed... and STRESSED over hearing back from pharmacy school after my interview. I checked our mailbox every hour, and let it consume my thoughts.

When the news finally came, I found out I've been put on the alternate list. They don't tell you where you fall on the alternate list, and they only evaluate it as they have an opening. So in a nut shell, I'll be reapplying next year. At first I was heartbroken, but I know there are improvements I need to make on my application. I started thinking if I had gotten in this year it would have just been TOO easy. It's a bit of a blessing that I have another year to really prepare myself before investing four more years into intense studies. I mean, I thought O-Chem was intense... but I know Pharmacy school is going to be a whole other level. So in the meantime, I'm making preparations for next year's round of applications. 

But for the MAIN message of this post.

I've come to love this quote by Leo Buscaglia:

There is so much truth to it. 

I can't tell you how much a kind word from someone can turn my day around, and lately kind words have been much needed. 

My family has been so encouraging to me, particularly in the last few years of college. I tend to bottle up a lot of my emotions, and then they build up until I just spill out into an emotional wreck. Mama tends to be the lucky one to deal with it... and she's given me some of the most encouraging words out there. 

"I'm so proud of you."

Just that simple sentence alone brought me so much reassurance. 

For so long I've worked for myself, and to have someone recognize it and tell me they're PROUD of me really brought it home. It made me really sit back and realize how much I have accomplished over the past few years.

 In my small group last night, our leader spoke to each of us about how much we've grown over the past year. She expressed how PROUD she is of all of us for the transformation she's been able to witness, and the young ladies we've become and are continuing to become. 

There's the word again, proud. 

It just gives me such an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that someone recognizes my actions enough to acknowledge them and be PROUD of them. Kind of cheesy.. but until someone tells you they are proud of you it's easy to just overlook how far you've really come. 

I've accomplished a lot, and I've really grown as a person over the past few years. I've matured SO so much, and blogging has really given me the ability to witness it. I love that I've been able to document everything over the past few years, and look forward to continuing to do it. 

I want to challenge you to look at your accomplishments and be PROUD of them.
Don't let your hard work go unnoticed, because I guarantee someone out there has noticed it... even if they haven't told you. And not only that, but extend the compliment to someone. Tell someone you admire their hard work, let them know it hasn't gone unnoticed by you.

Never underestimate the power of a simple compliment.

Source: google.com via Leslie on Pinterest

And if you've made it this far... I'm proud of YOU! ;)

Thanks for reading my long rants. 

:)

Important Day.

I apologize for being so MIA lately, but I've been trying to mentally prepare myself for tomorrow morning.  

Tomorrow morning is my interview with the UGA School of Pharmacy.

It's definitely a VERY important day for me, as it is the final portion of the selection process for incoming Pharm. D students. Last year they had over 680 applicants, only granted interviews to 250, and only 145 were accepted for the incoming class. So being granted an interview in itself was an absolute blessing, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to speak with the Pharmacy school admissions team. 

I just get so dang nervous. 

I know that based on the range of GPA and PCAT scores from last year's accepted class I'm on the lower range. I have pharmacy experience, and some excellent recommendations... so I really don't know where I'll stand with the incoming applicants. My interview will literally be what can put me over the edge for an acceptance, and even then it might not happen for me this year. Which is so hard on me. I tried not to get my hopes up.. but I'll be honest, they're up. 

I've already expressed on here how much Pharmacy school means to me, and how hard I've worked to get to this point. So I'm trying to remember that I've worked hard for a reason, and it hasn't been a wasted effort. 

I'm trying to quit thinking about it, because I keep playing out potential interview questions and it just makes me more stressed. I know I'm as prepared as I can be. I know I have the skills it takes. I know I have experience necessary. I just want to go in, knock their socks off.. .and make them realize that they can't IMAGINE passing me up. ;) 

So keep me in your prayers tomorrow! Send good vibes my way! I need ALL the help I can get! :) 

Pharmacy.

I want to be a pharmacist.

with all of my heart, I know I want to be a pharmacist.

And being in the pre-pharmacy phase of working TOWARDS being a pharmacy student is one of the most draining things ever. It's so hard when all of my friends are working towards their actual degree and profession with every class they take, and they have a target date for graduation.. 

Meanwhile, I work and work and work... and don't know if it's even going to be good enough to get into the program for the career I want. I'm tired of constantly feeling like I'm not good enough. The classes I'm in are designed to weed people out, and it's so hard to stay positive and keep trucking through lately. I know I'm not a dumb person, I graduated in the top 10 of my class in high school.. but the past year and a half has been so trying on me. My GPA is worse than I need for it to be, and I know I worked hard in my classes.. but it feels like it doesn't even show. I know Organic Chemistry like the back of my hand, I know the ins and  outs of it... and all the Pharmacy Schools will see is a letter grade. I hate that.

I just want to make A's again. I'm tired of C's.. and failing tests after studying for nights on end. I'm tired of the uncertainty of WHEN I'll be accepted to Pharmacy school.. or IF anyone will even want me. 

And I know I shouldn't think this way, but at a point you just break down. I'm emotionally exhausted, and just spent.

I love the Pharmacy profession without a doubt, and I refuse to give up until I am accepted to Pharmacy school. I'm just ready to go NOW, I'm tired of waiting. I want to be working towards my dream profession, instead of being in limbo about when I'll be able to do it. 

Working in a Pharmacy has given me so much motivation, and taught me SO much more about the profession. I'm so grateful to have been given the chance to work there, and going to work doesn't even feel like a job because I love seeing our patients every day. I love that we have such a direct impact on people's lives on a daily basis. I love that we can help people understand the importance of their health. I love that we can help someone feel better, and ease the pain for them just a little so that they can enjoy every day THAT much better. I love how rewarding it feels when a patient comes in and tells us how much they appreciate and love us for everything we do to help them through their healthcare crises. I just feel like I'm in my element when I'm in the Pharmacy, and I'm ready to be more than the Over-The-Counter/Phone-Answering Specialist. ;) 

A few weeks ago I found out that I've been granted an interview with UGA's College of Pharmacy for their PharmD program. I'm beyond grateful, and so incredibly excited that I've been given the opportunity to interview. Something I didn't even expect to be granted when I applied this year, but it's hard to fully enjoy it all because I don't want to get my hopes up. Based on the stats of last year's accepted applicants I know I'm in the lower end of the range, and I know I have room for improvement in my PCAT scores.. and my GPA. So keep me in your prayers over the next month, it's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions while I try to prepare for the interview... but also prepare myself for if I'm not accepted. 

And in the meantime I've been trying to focus on encouraging bible verses to ease my worrisome self. 

Jeremiah 29:11

Exciting Things!

A lot of things are coming together for me this year, and I couldn't be more excited!

I found out last night that I got a job at a local pharmacy, and I start when school starts back! I'm absolutely thrilled about it, especially since I plan on applying to Pharmacy school in the fall and REALLY need the work experience! 

After the last school year I had, I felt like things could only get better.. but I feel so blessed for how great everything is going for me right now. I'm moving into my apartment Thursday, starting school in a new place, taking the opportunities to meet new people, and above all just seeing that trusting in the Lord has allowed everything to fall right into place. I'm beyond excited for the upcoming year, and I can't wait to see what it all has in store!

via

Today I start training for my new job in the pharmacy so pray for me! I get so nervous about new stuff.. I don't want to mess up! :) 

Life is good,